Sandhurst Cricket Club

Firstly, to the final crescendo, the only Sandhurst senior side with a chance to make the finals, needing a victory over the eighth place Strathdale, and also needing the top of the table Eaglehawk to defeat the fourth placed Bendigo United. Sandhurst had endured heartache at this same stage on numerous occasions in recent seasons and felt this was their best chance to finally crack a finals appearance.

The cards were falling Sandhurst’s way with Tim Robertson only available for third eleven action, and the last minute exclusion of Dave Hunter with a back injury enabling a last minute call up for Mark Holland.

Sandhurst were methodical in their dismantlement of the Strathdale batting line-up, Mark Holland took a sharp catch in gully to claim the first wicket, Traviss Russell claimed ex-Dragon Kiel Fraser at slip off the bowling of Courtney Cornell for wicket number two. Darren Hocking may consider himself slightly unlikely after being bowled by a half tracker from Tim Knapman that didn’t bounce, and when Cornell claimed his second wicket, sneaking one through Lachy Shawyer for no score Strathdale were 4 for 33.

The procession of wickets continued throughout with Knapman claiming Rob Murrell LBW and then Travis Ledgwidge caught behind by Leigh Draper. In an effort to farm the strike captain Grant Fitzgerald made a fatal error of taking on Matt Felini and finding himself well short, run out for 18 and leaving Strath 7 for 73.

Play well beyond the norm and that, that is expected at third eleven level then bought the Strathdale innings to an end. Traviss Russell took a fine outfield catch, and then a stunning caught and bowled and then a miraculous catch to Mark Holland bought the Strathdale innings to an end for just 82 from just under 45 overs.

With two overs remaining and Mark Holland’s availability in question for week two, “Dutchy” was sent out for two overs of chaos before stumps on day 1. The Suns bowlers were able to keep it reasonably tight with only the final ball of the day disappearing over the cones to leave Sandhurst 0/9 at the close of play.

Day two opened up with sunny skies and a batsmen friendly deck, and despite the absence of Mark Holland, Patrick Brophy joined Dean Trew at the crease and the pair laid a solid platform before the loss of Dean Trew who was Mankadded for 20 to hand the Suns their first wicket. Pat Brophy then pushed the total along beyond the required target with the assistance of Tim Robertson to secure six points for the Dragons, before Pat Brophy was dismissed “handled ball” for 30 to leave Sandhurst two down.

Leigh Draper then joined Tim Robertson at the crease, and Sandhurst pushed on in the freedom knowing victory had been secured and their percentage was ever increasing. Then the most unusual of the days dismissals unfolded, without bowling the ball, change bowler Kiel Fraser turned to the umpire and appealed, the umpire immediately raised his finger and sent “Drapes” on his way for 14 with Draper’s only scoring shots a splendid pull shot off a half volley into the Aquatic Centre for six and back to back boundaries from late cuts despite the third man area being heavily protected. Further investigation revealed that Leigh was dismissed for obstructing the field and after repeated warnings hadn’t let up on a verbal “ear-bashing” directed to the keeper and surrounding fielders had forced the umpires hand. Drapes on his way, out, obstructing the field.

The fifth and final wicket of the Dragons innings fell when Traviss Russell who had been promoted up the order based on his recent form at the venue, simply decided to enjoy one of his “cigarettes” and not venture out onto the ground before he was timed out for no score. The remainder of the Dragon innings was a master class, with Tim Robertson and Matt Felini pushing Sandhurst’s total beyond 300. Tim Robertson finished unbeaten on 125 from 73 balls, and Matt Felini finished with 69 from 30 balls with Sandhurst 5 for 393 from 52 overs.

As luck would unfold, the massive 300 run plus victory, along with Eaglehawk’s 2 for 302 against Bendigo United, Sandhurst had managed to pass Bendigo United on points and percentage and secure a finals berth.

This proved just the spark for the Dragons, as they comfortably accounted for Eaglehawk in the semi-final and and after two nail biting finishes with Strathfieldsaye throughout the season with both sides securing one victory it was Marty Mcdonnell who bowled the 50^th and tense final over claiming a double hat-trick to hand Sandhurst the premiership despite Strathfieldsaye only requiring 2 runs to win with 4 wickets in hand entering the final over. I guess there’s no one with the nerves of steel like Dave Lowther with a cup on the line out at Strathfieldsaye. The celebrations went on and on, for such a memorable premiership victory, and continue to this day, as Sandhurst grabbed their first flag since 2001/2002.

In case you hadn’t yet clicked, the above ending is my alternate ending, and use of poetic licence to describe the dream finish to what might have been for the Dragons but unfortunately the truth is that day 2 was abandoned, and whilst there’s every chance Sandhurst would have reeled in the 74 runs required, Bendigo United’s 218 would have proven difficult for Eaglehawk to reel in. So sorry to disappoint, but again in leaving their fate at least partially in the hands of other teams, Sandhurst would suffer heartbreak on the final day of the season and narrowly miss the finals.

Match Summary: Strathdale 82 (Knapman 3/20, Cornell 2/13, Cloke 2/20) Vs Sandhurst 0/9. Day 2 abandoned due to rain.

The Key: Sandhurst did all they could to uphold their end of the bargain, fine bowling, was spectacularly backed up by the fielders and catchers, but this was to ultimately prove insudfficient as they would be denied by the weather on day 2.

Man of the Match: Tim Knapman saved his best for last removing three top order batsmen to claim man of the match honours for the Dragons with 3/20 from 9 overs.          

Let’s try and write this without the scorebook. Sandhurst would round out the season with a match at home against Strathdale. Sandhurst was missing Andrew Sheehan, Mark Holland, Scott Harper and Tim Robertson amongst others, with Elias Bowe, Dylan Gibson, and Mark Keck all called into the side. The Dragons had their hands full facing a Strathdale side looking to secure the minor premiership. Strathdale already had one comfortable victory against the Dragons this season and needed a win to be any chance of finishing on top.

Strathdale won the toss and elected to make first use of the wicket. Quinton Bentley was joined by Mark Keck in utilising the new ball, Kecky had done his fair share of new ball bowling over recent years, but it was Quinton Bentley who was again the shining light amongst the Dragons pace bowling contingent picking up Strathdale captain coach Linton Jacobs bowled for 20. Without further addition he had a second wicket with John Davidson LBW for 0. Dom Taylor made it a tri-fecta of victims for Q Bentley, departing caught behind as Strathdale slipped to 3 for 37.

A dangerous looking 4^th wicket stand was developing between opener Brad Rowe and Cam Taylor, before the rocket arm of Elias Bowe bought success for the Dragons, whipping the ball into Matt Pask at the non-strikers end to find Cam Taylor short of his ground. That was quickly followed by Dylan Gibson taking the catch to dismiss Brad Rowe for 47 and hand Quinton Bentley his 4^th wicket.

After surviving a very confident caught behind decision, Craig Howard combined with Ben Dearaugo to steady the ship for the Suns. Travis Crouch would again prove his all-round qualities and break up the Howard-Dearaugo partnership trapping Dearaugo LBW. Mark Keck followed up with the wicket of Chalkley to the delight of wicket-keeper Nick Scullie. Not for the first time this season Matt Pask pounced and completed another run out to dismiss Braden Hocking and have Sandhurst in with a chance of restricting Strathdale to around 180.

Unfortunately for Sandhurst, the man with over a decade of District cricket under his belt Craig Howard was able to pace the innings before he was the tenth wicket to fall in the final over of the day to Travis Crouch with the total on 218. Quinton Bentley was the clear standout for the Dragons with 4 for 40 from 22 overs, The elder statesmen Mark Keck and Travis Crouch chimed in with two wickets apiece and mention must go to Elias Bowe who bowled tidily for 8 overs 0 for 10. Elias was bowling that well, he even had himself confused as to which way he had the ball moving.

Both teams were deprived of an intriguing run chase and climax to the season when copious amounts of rain prevented any chance of play on day 2, leaving Sandhurst and Strathdale both with 3 points.

Match Summary: Strathdale 218 ( Q Bentley 4/40, T Crouch 2/35, M Keck 2/56) Vs Sandhurst. Match abandoned on day 2.

Man of the Match: Clear standout for the Dragons was Quinton Bentley in a fine finale to a very impressive season for one of the Dragons key bowlers.

Sandhurst went into the final round of the second XI competition against second placed Strathdale at Bell Oval with a vastly under strength side. A battling side with a handful of players out were dealt a further blow with leading run scorer Craig Burn made himself unavailable at the last minute. Where the side felt their biggest loss, was the absence of leading scorer Steve Prowse.

Sandhurst won the toss and batted and sent Simon Turnbull and Dean Trew into face the music. Dean’s stay was short lived, playing on for no score from the bowling of Prowse, and when Simon Turnbull followed suit again to the bowling of Prowse, Sandhurst were 2 for 13. Clinton Botham promoted to number 3 was solid as a rock at one end, and Justin Hancock bumped up the order played the only way he knows how, with his normal aggressive nature at the other end at the pair progressed the score along to 47 before Rory Alexander claimed his first wicket – Botham caught behind.

The loss of number 5 batsman Leigh Draper with the total on 64 sparked a horrific collapse for the Dragons, losing Hancock for 42 at over a run a ball with the score mired on 64. Four more wickets fell for the addition of just 7 runs, with Mcdonald, Moyle, Muller and Mcglone all back in the pavilion and Sandhurst  9 for 71. Rory Alexander proved the chief destroyer with a five wicket haul to rip through the Dragons middle and lower order.

Second eleven debutant Justin Mcmenamin then joined skipper Alex Trump at the crease, and applied himself superbly against a top line attack, throwing everything at the youngster with an array of yorkers and short balls unable to remove Justin. Whilst Alex attempted to farm the strike and score runs early in the over even sending two deliveries beyond the boundary for six, and look to rotate the strike at the end of the over the pair pushed the total beyond 100 and in the process put the remainder of the batting line up to shame in showing the pitch was quite conducive to run scoring. The pair added an even 50 before Justin Mcmenamin was bowled by a fine delivery from Michael Prowse for 11 and leaving Alex unbeaten on 37.

The Dragons total of 121 from just under 40 overs was a total that was never going to be enough and left Strathdale ample time to claim victory on day one. Alex went to his strike bowlers in order to take wickets and delay the inevitable result as long as possible and after a solid start from the cavalier Andrew Gaul and Daniel Price, Justin Hancock removed Gaul LBW and Mark Arnott bowled both with the total on 19. The league’s leading wicket taker Alex Trump then chimed in with the wicket of Sean Mccann, and when Justin Hancock had opener Daniel Price LBW for his 3^rd wicket, the slightest glimmer of hope appeared for the Dragons, whilst just the smallest ounce of doubt must have passed amongst the Suns camp at 4 for 50.

The experienced Ben Smith and Richard Murphy then took advantage of the tiring Trump and Hancock and the modest target to reel in the target without further loss in just the 33^rd over, which allowed the Suns to declare in front and leaving Sandhurst with a testing 9 over spell to negotiate before stumps. The Dragons faired significantly better at the beginning of their second innings as the experienced Trew and Turnbull saw Sandhurst through to 0/17 at stumps. With Day two abandoned due to wet weather, history will show that despite an ultimately unsuccessful season for the Sandhurst two’s they did shape the premiership, with the victory on day one enabling Strathdale to finish as minor premiers and defeat Bendigo United in the Grand Final by 18 runs. How’s that for a positive spin?!!

Match Summary: Sandhurst 121 (Hancock 42, Trump 37no) & 0/17 Vs Strathdale 4/128 (Hancock 3/53, Trump 1/55) by 7 Runs on First Innings.

The Key: A Total mis-match between the side second on the ladder and the side third from bottom. Sandhurst’s batting fragility enabling Strathdale victory on day one and only denied a possible outright by wet weather on day two.

Man of The Match: Standout performances were few and far between for the Dragons, but with a top score of 42 and three wickets, Justin Hancock claimed the final man of the match of the season.   

Goat of the Round: No doubt this round goes to Craig “Chooka” Burn who took until less than an hour before the game to advise the second XI captain he would be unavailable on the second week of the game sparking a last minute reshuffle of the line-up. Poor form Chook, poor form.

That rounds out the Giraffe Reports for season 2009/2010. Who knows if, and in what format the Giraffe Report will return in 2010-2011. The Giraffe has a hectic off-season planned, and looks forward to hearing from all his loyal readers in season 2010/2011.